S&W Conversion to .44 SSpecial - Is it Feasible?

[PBSmith]

I'd like to own an S&W revolver in caliber .44 Special. As some of you may know, such lust is expensive these days.

Would it be feasible (for a talented pistolsmith, not me!!) to convert a .357 Mag Model 28 HIghway Patrolman to .44 Special?

If so, what might such a conversion cost, and what are some names of pistolsmiths you would consider for the job?

I strongly suspect it might be less costly to buy a factory original Smith .44, but I"ve been wrong many times.

[johnsonian09]

That sounds dangerous to me. Even if you got a barrel and cylinder to fit I wouldn't trust the frame.

I push my little 44 pietta into low .357mag territory energy wise.

Wheel guns can take a beating but I think that's a bit too much

Sent from my SM-J337VPP using Tapatalk

[RichardB]

entirely doable, I have a couple so converted. 44 Spec operates at lower pressures than the 357 so no danger involved. Acquiring a suitable barrel is probaly the hardest part. The cylinder conversion is something any decent machinist or gunsmith can do.

[Murphy]

Converting a S&W Model 28 to .44 Special has been going on for decades. Do your research highly recommended pistol smith, call and speak to them about it. I've seen numerous photos over the decades of converted Model 28's using the same cylinder and barrel. What I can't say, is if one can 'push the envelope' when it comes to loading for it. It should by all means handle standard, factory loads. Anything past that, I'd be leery of.

Murphy

[downzero]

Not economically feasible. And to go from .357 to .429? No justification or reason. 357 Magnum was the most powerful handgun invented when it was introduced. You might learn to love it.

[762sultan]

Yes it's possible as I have one right on my desk as I type. I bought the barrel from an ad in the old newspaper called the Shotgun News and used a new model 28 S&W as a donor frame and had it put together in a gun shop in Kennellworth ,NJ. If I remember that gunsmith was a 45acp specialist. I want to say it was called the "Custom Gunshop." I have only shot several hundred rounds down the barrel with reloads. But it handles wonderfully...I wish that S&W would make them again. I also have a 624 6". Both are more comfortable than a 44 Mag.

[Nueces]

I had such a pair made up in the 70s, by Bob Sconce, of the old Miniature Machine Co, in Deming, NM. The 6 1/2" was done on a 5 screw M28 and used an original Smith 1950 target barrel. The 28 lacks the sight and barrel top longitudinal striations of the other big bore target Smiths, so we added them. The frame had to be drilled and tapped for a new N frame rear sight, as the 28 hole differs in location. That left the short bit of the frame in front of the sight. Bob and crew just didn't want to get into that, as they were winding down their operation, so I took the frame and did it by making a cutter from a 1-10 tap, holding the frame with a short 'false barrel' in the vise of a milling attachment on a South Bend Heavy Ten lathe. I finished with a riffler file and Bob complimented the work. I recall the striations as being 20 to the inch. After hand polishing and bluing, the revolver looked factory original, except for the embedded case heads. OK with me. I wanted the piece to look like a dream gun ordered in 1952 by Elmer Keith.

Because the cylinder of the 28 had been heat treated for 357 pressures, it easily holds up to Elmer's heavy 44 Special loads. The 4 inch version started as a 5 screw M27, so Bob and crew made a milling cutter and milled the barrel top rib in a checkered pattern to match that on the frame and sight. Now, this is a fine looking revolver!

[dswancutt]

The one thing that you are over looking is that S&W Model 28 prices have rapidly escalated in the past few years. They are no longer "cheap" N frames widely available for conversion. Cutting up a good Model 28 to make a franken gun just doesn't make economic sense now. Just go and buy a Model 29 or 629 and shoot 44 spl out of it. I have a pre Model 24, a 624, a 29 and a 629 and the 24's don't shoot orare handle any different from the 29's. Yes the 24's have better lines than the 29's with there thinner barrels, but that is about it.

[smithnframe]

My dad used to convert 28-2’s to 44 spl. back in the mid to late 70’s. I still have the first one he converted in my safe. My wife used it last year for her concealed carry license and shot a perfect score. Also, she was the only person using a revolver!

[sharps4590]

Based purely from the prices I see, gathering the bits and paying for the labor, one could spend his money more wisely for the same result.

[Cosmic_Charlie]

I picked up a 24 about a year ago. Very nice shape, made in 1984. Came from a pawn shop in Bend Oregon. About $1,000 total. Gets a diet of conventionally lubed 250K boolits over 7 grains of Unique. Keep your eyes open, you might luck out.

[gunther]

Like Charlie said in post #11. A 44 S&W mountain gun might be an option, as well. . Keep your mad money with you, neither of these options will be there tomorrow after you sleep on it

[square butte]

I think the factor that will be the most limiting now ( Baring lack of the cash to do it ) will be finding a good smith that can and will do the job. Jim Stroh has retired and Hamilton Bowen is no longer doing this type of conversion on Smiths to my knowledge. There might be someone in Nevada, but can't remember his name. This type of caliber conversion was not uncommon in the 70's and 80's, with rebore of cylinders and barrels being a standard approach. I would like to hear if anyone knows of other smiths doing this job. Not a project for anyone faint of wallet.

[deltaenterprizes]

The one thing that you are over looking is that S&W Model 28 prices have rapidly escalated in the past few years. They are no longer "cheap" N frames widely available for conversion. Cutting up a good Model 28 to make a franken gun just doesn't make economic sense now. Just go and buy a Model 29 or 629 and shoot 44 spl out of it. I have a pre Model 24, a 624, a 29 and a 629 and the 24's don't shoot orare handle any different from the 29's. Yes the 24's have better lines than the 29's with there thinner barrels, but that is about it.

And you have the option of using 44 Magnum ammo if you want or need to!

[rintinglen]

Possible?--yes Feasible and practical, not so much.

With a Model 28 running 700 and up, I don't see it as do-able, unless you have an old Highway patrol man sitting in the safe. A barrel would run you at least $175, maybe 250 or more. The cylinder work would be another 150, refinishing and assembly another 200+, that puts you at a minimum of 1200+. Then shipping and so forth. A conversion could easily run up to 1500+.

For that money you can buy a 44 S&W, I've bought two this year, a 24-3 out of a pawn shop for 1,000 cash and a 3 inch 624 for 1250 (Momma hit the roof on the second one Anyone care to buy a used husband--I'm pretty sure she'll sell.). Hit the gun shows and pawn shops--no telling what you'll turn up.

14 years ago, I spent 400 bucks buying and having a spare cylinder cut and fitted to my S&W 544 44-40. That's it in the photo at the bottom.

[nicholst55]

Finding an M24 barrel will be quite a hunt, and it will be extremely expensive. There's a guy on GB that sells barrels and cylinders; he wants $400 each for an M24 or 624 barrel, and another $400 for a cylinder. You could probably buy an S&W M24 or 624 for what you would have invested in just a donor gun and parts, and then you'd still have to pay labor.

And then there's the old adage 'never build what you can buy.'

[memtb]

Years ago, many were “trans’d” into 45LC.....a .44 shouldn’t be an issue! memtb

[30calflash]

I think buying would be better than building unless you have a couple major parts and or the 28 you have has a bad barrel.

No guarantees you would have a good shooter if yours is now. And the folks who did quality work are not around as they had been.

Buy an affordable 24 or 624 and sell the 28, better way, less $$$. JMHO.

[JoeJames]

It sounds as though you want to have a Model 28 converted to 44 Special, but running at 44 Magnum Velocities. If that's the case just get a Model 29 or a Model 629. If I was wishing for another 44 Special it would be converted to 44 Special from a Model 19 or Model 66 K frame; like Taurus has already done. But I prefer a 44 Special running about 890 fps with a 240 grain SWC, that is accurate and has a reasonable recoil.

[Outpost75]

Enjoyed reading this thread, having gone through a similar thought process 25 years ago. After due consideration I kept the Model 28 original and bought a used 4" Model 29 for the packing pistol which I load to Keith .44 Special ballistics with 16 grains of Alliant #2400 in .44 Magnum brass with Saeco #441. Two great guns are better than one. The Model 28 with 146-grain double-end wadcutter at over 1000 fps is no slouch either!


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